COULTON DELIVERS $3.85 MILLION FOR GRAIN VALLEY WAY

GUNNEDAH Shire’s Grain Valley Way will benefit from a $3.85 million investment from the Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals’ Leader Michael McCormack said the announcement means the Australian Government will work with its state and local partners to bring the final 17-kilometre sections of the road up to scratch.

“Around Australia the Liberal and Nationals’ Government is investing in local roads – especially rural and regional roads – to ensure people can get home sooner and safer and boost productivity,” Mr McCormack said.

“Mark Coulton has fought very hard and has put the Gunnedah Shire’s case very strongly. We understand this upgrade will strengthen and seal the remaining unsealed sections of Grain Valley Road between Mullaley and Boggabri.

“It will also improve heavy vehicle access by accommodating Higher Mass Limit B-double freight vehicles through applying bitumen seal to the unsealed sections of the road to improve skid resistance, overall alignment, geometry and visibility of the road due to dust reduction.

“The potential benefits for freight operators and industry are enormous, with the project set to slash the freight travel distance for the district’s grain growers by up to 50 kilometres per round trip.”

Member for Parkes and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton said this was a significant win for locals after many years of work.

“We all know Grain Valley Way is part of a daily school bus route, as well as being used to transport freight such as grain, cotton and livestock,” Mr Coulton said.

“Together we have put our case and I am delighted to have delivered for the Gunnedah Shire in Government.

“This is not only an important productivity upgrade, it will help reduce crashes and give locals the safer road they deserve.

“Progressing this upgrade will improve the inter-regional transport link between the Central West and North West of the state.”

The Australian Government has committed up to $3.85 million to the project under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP), towards the estimated $8.2 million total project cost.